- Same-day dental implants are possible. However, the name refers to the placement and not the entire process, which can take longer.
- Same-day dental implants offer quicker treatment and a more natural appearance.
- Their disadvantages include a higher failure rate, increased risks during the healing phase, and the need for experienced dentists and well-equipped offices.
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Are you considering one day dental implants? Here's everything you need to know.
How do they do dental implants in one day?
Picture by Authority Dental under CC 2.0 license
First off, it is never literally just one day. The name “same-day dental implants” refers to the actual placement procedure: you will walk out with a new set of teeth. Some of the stages below might be completed in 24 hours, but this depends on the condition of your mouth.
Consultation
When looking for an immediate dental implants specialist, make sure they are experts in that field. This is for your own safety and the efficiency of the procedure.
A preliminary consultation is no obligation, so there is no risk in discussing treatment. During this visit, you will tell your dentist about your medical history, including any diseases, and your general oral health will be inspected.
You will likely have X-rays, and an accurate image of your mouth will be captured. This is used to create a model that shows not only your teeth but also blood vessels, muscles, and nerves in the area.
Your dentist will devise a treatment plan. “Same-day implants” means it will only take a day for you, but for the dental team, it includes detailed planning. They will project your results. This could take a couple of weeks.
Extractions
If any extractions are necessary, they must be performed before the surgery. This can happen up to 6 weeks earlier, so your mouth has time to heal.
There is little risk in having a tooth extracted and an implant placed on the same day. This decision is made by the doctor, though, based on the amount of bone you have and your health.
Surgical and cosmetic procedures
Unlike the traditional dental implant process, which is divided into separate stages, same-day implants are mounted with artificial teeth in one visit.
The placement procedure itself will take a couple of hours. You will probably be sedated, but a lighter form of anesthesia might be used if you are only getting one or two teeth replaced. This is dependent on what your pain tolerance and anxiety levels are. Your dentist will advise what is best.
When replacing a full arch, specialists usually support the bridge or overdenture on 4 to 6 implants. The most common method is the All-On-4, which includes placing force at an obtuse angle. That way, you can skip bone grafting or thickening of the bone.
After your implant is placed, it is time to have a crown, bridge, or denture placed. Sometimes these are temporary, making the process only theoretically done “in one day”. If this is the case, you will have to return in a couple of weeks for the permanent cap or set of false teeth.
Healing and final checkup
Even with same-day implants, you cannot disregard the healing. This process is called osseointegration, and it is when the bone fuses to the biocompatible rod.
With traditional implants, this happens before new teeth are fitted. When you get them placed in a single day, osseointegration occurs after you leave the office. It takes 3 to 6 months. You will have to eat soft foods while this happens, especially during the first 6 to 8 weeks.
After this time, you will have another checkup so your dentist can make sure everything is as it should be. This visit is often free of additional charges.
Who can get new teeth in one day?
Not everyone can get a dental implant in a day. A suitable candidate must have good overall health and be a non-smoker. Alternatively, they must be willing to quit about 2 months prior to the procedure.
Lee warns: "I caution patients that this convenience comes with a risk trade-off. The success of a "same-day" implant hinges entirely on primary stability: the immediate, rock-solid grip the implant gets when we first seat it. With traditional implants, we let the screw heal for months before we "load" it with the tooth; this guarantees fusion."
"With same-day implants, we load them immediately, and one of the most significant risks is that chewing pressure can cause micromovements that prevent proper bone fusion," he adds.
The most contraindications to same-day implants include:
autoimmune conditions,
chronic disease,
poor oral or general health,
unsatisfactory hygiene,
bruxism, and
A bone that is too thin or soft.
Some of these issues can be dealt with. The way to go is proper oral hygiene, a simple SRP procedure, or a bone graft. It is worth consulting with your dentist if you are set on getting new teeth in a day.
One-day dental implants are commonly used to replace a full arch. For singular teeth, immediate dental implants are a popular choice for replacing front dentition.
Pros and cons of same-day dental implants
Picture by Authority Dental under CC 2.0 license
Any invasive medical procedure carries risks. Same-day implants rely heavily on the specialist's expertise. That is why it is vital to ensure the dentist and the clinic have all the necessary credentials and plenty of before-and-after pictures.
The dangers of one-day dental implants are most prominent during the healing period. Your new smile is already in place while the bone is still fusing with the rod. There is an increased risk of implant movement and infection if you do not adhere to the specialist’s instructions.
It is also vital that you do not smoke or grind your teeth. Such habits significantly increase the risk of implant failure. What is more, you might wear your new teeth down quickly.
Overall, though, same-day dental implants reviews tend to be positive.
Quick treatment
Natural appearance since gums grow around the implant freely
New teeth are in place during the healing period
Affordable compared to other implant solutions
Must go with an experienced dentist and well-equipped office
Post-op instructions are restrictive
Bigger failure rate
One-day implants vs. traditional implants
One of the most significant advantages of same-day implants is the shorter treatment time. Additionally, since the new tooth is placed immediately, the gums can grow around it, giving your mouth a more natural look. Gums are also less likely to recede, depending on how much bone is removed.
Traditional implants usually require about 3 to 6 months before new teeth can be fitted. This means the patient might have to go without dentition.
Implant movement is much more likely in immediate implants. In terms of failure rates, traditional implants have a success rate of about 95%, while same-day implants have a success rate of about 70%.
Teeth-in-a-day costs can be more affordable than traditional treatment, especially if you are getting a full mouth. This is because less time is spent in the dentist’s chair.
Here is a quick sum-up of one-day dental implants vs. traditional implants:
Same-day implants
Immediate result
More cost-effective
Less time spent at the dentist’s
Success rate of 70%
Traditional implants
Results in a couple of months
Less cost-effective
More dental visits
Success rate of 95%
Which you go for depends on the condition of your mouth and how quickly you want the results.
FAQ
Can you have one-day implants in one visit?
No. The phrase “same day implants” refers to the surgical parts of the procedure. You may have extractions, grafting, and implant placement done all at once. You will still need a consultation a few weeks prior to your surgery and will likely have to return to have temporary crowns replaced with permanent ones.
Are same-day dental implants safe?
One-day implants are safe as long as the professional performing the procedure is skilled and you follow post-op instructions closely. The most important part is the implant fusing to the bone. There must be no shift, or osseointegration could fail.
Any primary treatment carries some degree of risk. On the other hand, same-day implants generally work well if the patient is a good candidate based on oral and systemic health. The success rate is about 70%.
Can you get an implant the same day as extraction?
Sometimes you can have a tooth removed and immediately replace it with an implant. This is highly dependent on the state of your mouth, however. Your dentist will make this decision; you cannot just request it.
Harry Lee, DMD
The phrase "implants in one day" is definitely a misnomer, and I make sure every patient understands that. It is not a literal 24-hour journey from consultation to completion; it means you walk out of the surgery appointment with a beautiful, fully functional temporary set of teeth already attached to the implants. The magic is not in the speed of surgery, but in eliminating the long, toothless wait once mandatory with traditional implants.